Now and then, take a look at these 'then and now' photos of old London sent to me by my e-pal, JK, The very last photo looks like Kenneth Branagh and his chums from the Olympic opening show. The other (semi) interesting thing is exactly when and who decided that we drive on the left? Jest askin'! Anyway, thanks, Jk, for a fascinating link - but that's not an encouragement for you to send me 200 more!
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2012/07/25/once_upon_a_time_in_old_london_town#0
Everyone used to drive on the left: it kept your whip further from pedestrians. See Goethe's Travels in Italy, for example.. Napoleon changed most of the Continent, though I don't know why. The Americans presumably changed for sweet reasons of their own.
Posted by: dearieme | Sunday, 05 August 2012 at 12:49
Had something to do with passing cavalry units getting knoted up in each others lances when passing each other. The lance being carried on the right.
That is ONE explanation. There are others.
Posted by: Furor Teutonicus | Sunday, 05 August 2012 at 14:49
Thank you, Gentlemen, and I'm sure there are other answers. I have a vague memory of being told that it was because when men carried swords they wanted it handy for dealing with anyone coming the other way.
Posted by: David Duff | Sunday, 05 August 2012 at 17:54